BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - Evelyn Payne's late mark helped the Wilmington University women's soccer team secure a home playoff game, defeating Bridgeport, 2-1, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest on Saturday afternoon at Knights Field.
Evelyn Payne scored both goals for the Wildcats (11-4-1, 7-2-1 CACC), but it was her goal in the 86th minute that broke a 1-1 draw. The win clinched a top-four finish for the Wildcats in the CACC, collecting 22 points with only one game to play in the regular season.
The first goal came in the 17th minute, finishing off a long ball from Maria Leguizamon. The Wildcats forced a turnover in the midfield and the ball was played to the back line. Leguizamon launched a ball down the middle, finding Payne at the top of the box. Payne took the bouncing ball and shot it past the goalkeeper's right side for the 1-0 lead.
The Purple Knights tied the game in the 66th minute, scoring a bender from the left side of the box.
But the Wildcats were able to pick up the crucial three points in the standings with Payne's second goal of the night in the 86th minute. After a foul, Brianna Wons restarted the play but then also collected the clearing attempt by the Purple Knights. She drove down the middle of the field before finding Jordan Siok on the left side of the box. Siok cut it back at the end line, passing it back to Evelyn Payne who one-timed it in from eight yards out with 4:12 showing on the clock.
Bridgeport ended up outshooting the Wildcats, 13-10, in the game, including 7-4 in the second half. Arianna Myers made three first-half saves before Mio Nakajima made four stops in the second half.
Wilmington will now host a CACC Tournament First Round contest at the WU Athletics Complex on Monday, November 11.
The Wildcats have one regular season game remaining next week, as they host Goldey-Beacom on Friday, November 8. The opening whistle is set for 3:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.